Moving target gun training system

ABSTRACT

A portable moving target training system includes a target member, a prime mover, and one or more cables configured to operatively couple the prime mover with the target member. The target member is configured to receive a projectile from an associate user and the prime mover is responsive to an input signal to selectively initiate relative movement between the target member and the associated user. A series or set of pulleys engage and guide the one or more cables between the prime mover and the target member, wherein the pulleys include an augured soil stake and a pulley wheel rotatably carried on the soil stake.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/531,260, filed Sep. 6, 2011.

BACKGROUND

Static shooting practice targets are well known in the art. However, not all real-life targets remain stationary but rather typically move relative to the shooter such as, for example, live game escaping from hunters.

Accordingly, there is a need for a moving target training system wherein a target may be moved relative to the user for refining shooting skills. In addition, there is a need for a moving target training system that is portable for easy set-up, tear down, and for moving from location to location as may be necessary or desired.

OVERVIEW

Accordingly, the present application is directed to a portable moving target gun training system comprising a target member, a prime mover, and a coupling operatively coupling the prime mover with the target member. The target member is configured to receive a projectile in flight such, for example, a bullet shot from a gun held by an associated user. The prime mover is responsive to an input signal from an associated source to selectively initiate relative movement in one or more directions between the target member and the associated user. In the example embodiment described herein, the system is adapted for use with gun shooting training. However, it is to be appreciated that the system has broader application and can be applied in other settings such as, for example, for use in archery training or the like, as well as in non-shooting type activities including for example, baseball throwing training, football passing drills or other sporting practice drills or the like wherein the targets are adapted from a basic bulls-eye conformation to a size and shape specific to the underlying sport or recreational activity.

In one embodiment the target member includes a lower frame and an upper support member supporting a target board carrying indicia of a target, wherein the upper support member is selectively pivotable relative to the lower frame to permit relative angular positioning between the target board and the lower frame. In that way, the angled target may be moved diagonally relative to the user while maintaining full frontal presentation relative to the user. This effectively simulates evasive moves typically adopted by charging or fleeing shooting challenges.

In an example embodiment the prime mover includes a programmable logic controller (PLC) coupled with a servo or other motor controlled by the PLC wherein the motion of the target member may be controlled in accordance with program code or one or more software segments stored in a non-transitory memory of the PLC and executed by the PLC.

As a further example embodiment, several augers are provided wherein each auger carries a wheel rotatable on a bearing for interfacing the prime mover with the movable target by means of a cable system strung through the several augers. The augers each include a large radially outwardly extending annular plate member having a large bottom surface configured to sit atop the ground and thereby provide stability to the augers against offsetting lateral forces applied to the top end thereof such as by the cables pressing against the wheel members during use of the target system.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of a moving target gun training system in accordance with an example embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a target member portion of the moving target gun training system in accordance with an example embodiment.

FIG. 2 a is a schematic diagram of a target member portion of the moving target gun training system in accordance with a further example embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a schematic block diagram of a moving target gun training system in accordance with a further example embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a pulley and auger system portion of the moving target gun training systems of FIGS. 1 and 3 in accordance with an example embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring now to the drawings wherein the showings are for purposes of illustrating the example embodiments only and not for purposes of limiting same, the subject portable moving target training system 10 comprises a target member 12 and a prime mover 14 operatively coupled such as at coupling member 16 with the target member 12. The prime mover 14 is responsible to an input signal 20 to selectively initiate relative movement such as, for example, in first, second, and third directions 22, 24, and 26 relative to an associated user 30.

It is to be appreciated that the prime mover 14 may be any apparatus or system of apparatus capable of imparting physical motion to the target member 12 such as, for example, one or more electric motors including one or more servo motors, pulleys, cables, rods, ropes, cams, gears or the like, and one or more control systems such as dedicated embedded controllers, proprietary controllers, programmable logic controllers (PLCs) or combinations of these or the like as necessary to effect the desired motion characteristics to the target member.

In one embodiment the prime mover 14 is a programmable logic controller (PLC) responsive to the input signal 20 to execute program code by a processor of the PLC. The program code is stored in a non-transitory memory of the PLC or in memory operatively associated with the PLC as necessary or desired. The PCL thereby selectively moves the target member 12 relative to the user 30 in accordance with the program code in directions 22, 24, and 26. Acceleration, deceleration, speed, and positioning of the target member 12 is controlled by the PLC executing the program code to simulate movement of various selected real-life targets such as charging animals or criminals or the like. In this regard, in accordance with the example embodiment, the user selectively programs the PLC of the prime mover 14 or downloads or otherwise provides the PLC with one or more program code segments for execution by the processor of the PLC to animate the target member 12 to move in various selected ways as necessary or desired to reproduce life-like live target simulation.

FIG. 2 illustrates a target member 12 in accordance with an example embodiment. As shown there, the target member 12 includes a substantially planar target board 40 supported relative to a base member 42 by a vertically extending post 44. In its preferred form, the base member 42 comprises a set of wheels 46 so that the target member 12 can be moved in either direction along a linear path illustrated in the Figure at d. It is to be appreciated that although the target member 12 is moved along a linear path in the example embodiment, other embodiments are not so limited, wherein the target member 12 may be moved along a curvilinear path and, further, in linear and/or curvilinear paths in more than one direction and/or dimension while under control of the prime mover.

With continued reference to FIG. 2, the coupling 16 between the target member 12 and the prime mover of FIGS. 1 and 3 comprises first and second ends 52, 54 of a cable member 50 to be described in greater detail below. The cable ends 52, 54 may be fasten to the base member 42 using an eyelet, screws, or any suitable means as necessary or desired.

FIG. 2 a illustrates a target member 12′ in accordance with a further example embodiment. As shown there, the target member 12′ includes a substantially planar target board 40′ selectively rotatably supported at a pivot joint 41′ relative to a base member 42′ by a pair of vertically extending posts 44 a, 44 b and an elongate spar member 45. In the illustrated embodiment the spar member 45 is rotatable relative to the base member 42′ about a vertical axis defined by the pivot joint 41′ and into selected positions to effect a selected relative angle between the planar target board 40′ and the associated user 30 (FIG. 1). The spar member 45 is selectively held in place relative to the base member 42′ by one or more fasteners (not shown) or, as in the example embodiment, by threaded engagement between the spar member and the base member 42′ wherein threads formed on the spar member engage corresponding threads formed in the base member whereby the user may tighten the spar ember relative to the base member thereby fastening the target member carried on the posts and spar member with the base member.

FIG. 3 is a schematic representation of an overall layout of the subject moving target shooting training system 10 wherein the target member 12 is operatively coupled with the prime mover 14 by means of the cable 50 described above. More particularly, the first end 52 of the cable member 50 is coupled with the target member 12 as illustrated and, is routed by means of a series or set of pulleys 60 to the prime mover 14. Only four (4) pulleys 60 are illustrated in connection with the example embodiment for ease of illustration and description although it is to be appreciated that any number of pulleys may be used as necessary or desired. In the example embodiment, the cable 50 extends from the target 12 to the prime mover 14 passing around first and second stationary pulleys 62, 63 such as illustrated. It is to be appreciated that the relative distances between the pulleys 62, 63 and the target member 12 is selected to minimize the chance of either of the pulleys 62, 63 being inadvertently damaged during use of the device in shooting training. In one form in accordance with the example embodiment illustrated, the stationary pulleys 62, 63 comprise pulley wheels rotationally supported on elongate augured soil stakes by suitable bearings. The augers on the soil stakes permit the pulleys to be easily moved from location to location and enable firm fixation of the system, particularly the cable members, relative to the practice site.

The second cable 54 is operatively coupled with the target member 12 and extends between the target member and the prime mover 14 by a series or set of pulleys 60 including, for example, first and second pulleys 61, 64 arranged as shown in FIG. 3. It is to be appreciated that the relative distances between the pulleys 61, 64 and the target member 12 is selected to minimize the chance of either of the pulleys 61, 64 being inadvertently damaged during use of the device in shooting training. In one form in accordance with the example embodiment illustrated, the stationary pulleys 61, 64 comprise pulley wheels rotationally supported on elongate augured soil stakes by suitable bearings. The augers on the soil stakes permit the pulleys to be easily moved from location to location and enable firm fixation of the system, particularly the cable members, relative to the practice site.

It is to be appreciated that one or the other of the augured pulleys 61 and 62 may be moved closer to or further away from the user of the system in order to create diagonal motion of the target relative to the user. In addition to this feature, as described above, in one embodiment the target member includes a lower frame and an upper support member supporting a target board carrying indicia of a target, wherein the upper support member is selectively pivotable relative to the lower frame to permit relative angular positioning between the target board and the lower frame. In that way, the angled target may be moved diagonally relative to the user while maintaining full frontal presentation relative to the user. This ability in the example embodiment of moving one or the other of the augured pulleys 61 and 62 closer to or further away from the user together with the ability of permitting relative angular positioning between the target board and the lower frame effectively simulates evasive moves typically adopted by charging or fleeing shooting challenges.

With continued reference to FIG. 3, the prime mover 14 is illustrated in functional diagrammatical form as comprising a wheel 70 coupled with a suitable servo motor 72 operable to rotate in opposite first and second directions 74, 76 in response to an input signal 20 applied to a PLC 78 or any other suitable control device. In the example embodiment described herein, the prime mover 14 is operable to rotate in the first direction 74 at a rate and duration sufficient to move the target member 12 in a first linear direction 82 to approach but not contact the first pulley member 61. Similarly, the wheel 70 is selectively rotated in the second direction 76 at a rate and duration sufficient to move the target 12 in a second linear direction 84 to approach but not contact the second pulley 62.

It is to be appreciated that the prime mover 14 is responsive to an input signal 20 from an associated source such as, for example, a knob or suitable “START” button on a variably speed programmable motor drive 78 to establish cyclic repeated reciprocal motion of the target member 12 in opposite first and second directions 84 to provide a moving target gun training system 10 in accordance with the embodiment. Additional further embodiments include the prime mover, an electric motor such as for example a permanent magnet DC motor, and a programmable motor controller such as may be available from Allen-Bradley, Fanuc, or the like.

A soil stake member 100 of any one of the pulleys 61-64 is shown in FIG. 4 with the pulley wheel removed for ease of discussion. With reference now to that Figure, the soil stake 100 comprises an elongate rod 102 having opposite first 104 and second 106 ends wherein the first end 104 forms a pointed tip portion 108 for ease of insertion of the soil stake 100 into the ground. A pair of radially outwardly extending plate members 110 and 120 is carried on the elongate rod 102 between the first and second ends 102, 104 thereof.

The first plate member 110 provides essentially an auger function during use of the soil stake 100 wherein the first plate member 110 is attached with the elongate rod 102 in a spiral conformation. That is, a first or lead end 112 of the first plate member 110 is closer to the pointed tip portion 108 of the rod 102 than a second or trailing end 114 of the first plate member. Correspondingly, the second or trailing end 114 of the first plate member 110 is closer to the second end 106 of the rod 102 than the first or lead end 112 of the first plate member 110. In this way, rotation of the soil stake 100 about a longitudinal axis L defined by the body of the rod 102 causes the first plate member 110 to auger into soil beneath the soil stake 100 thereby drawing the soil stake 100 firmly into the ground.

The second plate member 120 provides, essentially, a stabilizing function during use of the soil stake 100 wherein the second plate member 120 defines a large annular surface area on a bottom side 122 thereof wherein the bottom side 122 is adapted to engage and rest against the soil surface when the soil stake 100 is inserted into the ground and in use. In this way, forces acing in directions perpendicular to the longitudinal axis L can be neutralized or otherwise cancelled to permit the soil stake 100 from pulling out of the ground in accordance with offsetting forces applied against the soil surface by engagement of the bottom side 122 against the soil surface.

In the example embodiment, the soil stake member 100 is made from A36 cold-rolled steel and the rod 102 is a 1 (one) inch solid bar having an overall length of about 18 (eighteen) inches. The second plate member 120 is circular and has a thickness of about ⅜ (three eights) of an inch and an outer diameter of about 8 (eight) inches. The elongate rod 102 has a length between the second plate member 120 and the top portion 106 of about 9 (nine) inches. The second plate member 120 is welded to the rod 102 substantially in the position shown. Further in the example embodiment, the elongate rod 102 has a length between the second plate member 120 and the tip end 108 thereof of about 9 (nine) inches. Yet still further in the example embodiment, the first plate member 110 has an outer diameter of about 2½ (two and one half) inches and is spaced from the pointed tip portion by about 8 (eight) inches.

The ratios of selected dimensions are advantageous in providing stability to the soil stake member 100 during use thereof. In particular, the ratio of the diameter of the upper plate member 120 to the length of the rod 102 below the plate member provides stability to the augers against offsetting lateral forces applied to the top end thereof such as by the cables pressing against the wheel members during use of the target system, helping to keep the auger members securely seated in the ground, even in wet soils. Also, the ratio of the diameter of the lower plate member 110 to the length of the rod 102 below the plate member provides additional stability to the augers against the offsetting lateral forces applied the cables as well as stability against vertically extending forces urging the stake member 100 upwardly as viewed in the Figure during use of the target system, additionally helping to keep the auger members securely seated in the ground, even in wet soils.

Lastly with reference to FIG. 4 the soil stake 100 includes, as necessary or desired, an eyelet member 130 carried on the second end 106 thereof. The eyelet member 130 defines a loop portion 132 forming a hole 134 configured to receive one or more of the cables 52, 54 whereby the loop portion 132 provides a bearing surface enabling the cables 52, 54 to slide through the hole 134 during use of the soil stake 100. The eyelet member 130 extends form the rod 102 by about 3 (three) inches and the loop portion 132 is about ⅜ (three eighths) inches thick. Further, the hole 134 formed by the loop portion 132 is about 1½ (one and one half) inches in diameter. 

1. A portable moving target training system comprising: a target member configured to receive a projectile from an associate user; and a prime mover operatively coupled with the target member, the prime mover being responsive to an input signal to selectively initiate relative movement between the target member and the associated user.
 2. The moving target training system according to claim 1, wherein: the prime mover comprises an electric motor and an electric motor controller responsive to the input signal to selectively initiate the relative movement between the target member and the associated user by driving the motor in operative selective motion.
 3. The moving target training system according to claim 2, further comprising: one or more cables configured to operatively couple the prime mover with the target member.
 4. The moving target training system according to claim 3, further comprising: a pulley apparatus configured to engage and guide the one or more cables between the prime mover and the target member.
 5. The moving target training system according to claim 4, wherein the pulley apparatus comprises: a soil stake; and, a pulley wheel rotatably carried on the soil stake.
 6. The moving target training system according to claim 5, wherein the soil stake comprises: an elongate rod having opposite first and second ends; and, first and second radially outwardly extending plate members carried on the elongate rod between the first and second ends thereof in a spaced apart relationship.
 7. The moving target training system according to claim 6, wherein: the first radially outwardly extending plate member is attached with the elongate rod in a spiral conformation; and the second plate member defines an annular surface area on a bottom side thereof wherein the bottom side is adapted to engage and rest against associated soil adjacent the soil stake when the soil stake is inserted into the soil.
 8. The moving target training system according to claim 7, wherein the first radially outwardly extending plate member comprises: opposite lead and trailing ends, wherein the lead end is disposed closer to the pointed tip portion of the rod than the trailing end, and wherein the trailing end of the first plate member is disposed closer to the second end of the rod than the lead end, wherein rotation of the soil stake about a longitudinal axis L defined by a body of the rod causes the first plate member to auger into soil beneath the soil stake thereby drawing the soil stake firmly into the ground.
 9. The moving target training system according to claim 1, wherein the target member comprises: a base member; and, a substantially planar target board carried relative to the base member.
 10. The moving target training system according to claim 9, wherein the substantially planar target board is rotatably carried relative to the base member.
 11. The moving target training system according to claim 9, wherein the substantially planar target board is rotatably positionable in a plurality of selected positions relative to the base member. 